Arrangement and method for configuring equipment

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns an arrangement and a method for configuring equipment for personal performance monitoring comprising at least one carrier item having a mounting zone for receiving a communication module, one or more sensors and/or actuators and a first processing unit functionally connected to said mounting zone and said sensors and/or actuators. The first processing unit is configured to process sensor signals from the sensors and/or actuators and to communicate with a communication module that is mounted on the mounting zone of the carrier item and having a second processing unit configured to further process said sensor/actuator signals and to communicate processed signals to a remote device over a wireless communication protocol. A remote device is adapted to provide a predefined code to configure the equipment to process sensor or actuator signals according to a use of said carrier item as identified by said predefined code.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems used for personal performancemonitoring for example in sports. In particular, the invention relatesto a novel configuration arrangement and method for equipment thatincludes communication modules for communicating sensor signals, such asEMG signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to measure electromyographic (EMG) signals fromdifferent parts of a human body during e.g sports performances, the mostcommon example being hear beat measurement using a surface EMGsensor-containing heart beat belt with a wireless transmitter module forcommunicating with a personal monitoring device, such as a sports watch.Measurement of surface EMG signals also from other parts of the body tomonitor muscle activity in legs, arms, middle body or torso, forexample. Such measurements can be carried using EMG sensors for exampleintegrated into sports garment. It is also known to integrate signaltransmitter modules into the belt or garment or to provide the module asa snap-on module to an assembly zone on the garment or belt. The modulecan be removed for washing the garment, for example. One disadvantage inknown systems is that, although the transmitter can be removable andreconnectable, each sensor or sensor group requires a specificallydesigned transmitter module in order to operate properly.

To mention some specific examples, U.S. Pat. No. 8,253,586 discloses aperformance measuring system comprising an article of clothing with anintegrated measuring sensor and additionally a communication module,power module and computing module attachable to the article of clothing.The modules can be removed from one article of clothing and used inanother article of clothing, while the sensor remains in the article. EP1531726 discloses the use of a multitude of surface EMG electrodes togain information simultaneously from muscles in various parts of thebody. Also U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,547 relates to a similar application andin particular how conductive paths in garment can be arranged to providea sensor signal form the measurement point to the signal transmittermodule.

US 2008/0319330 discloses as a further example of currently availabletechniques a mobile transmitter for observing performance-related eventsand transmitting data on the observed events to a receiver. Thetransmitter comprises a timer for providing time references relating tothe events and a memory for recording time references. The transmitterobtains a time reference from the timer and records the Obtained timereference in the memory and is adapted to produce data messagescontaining a predetermined number of time references obtained from thememory and further to transmit the produced data messages to thereceiver. The disclosed system allows for time stamping of events, suchas heartbeats, and calculating the frequency and/or interval variationparameters of heartbeats. The system does not allow for synchronizingevents from different detector sources.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,101, on the other hand, discloses a system forpairing sensor-containing shoes with measurement electronics, includingauthentication of the shoes for the electronics, Also these solutionsrequire dedicated transmitter module sensor pairs in order to be able totransmit the measurement signal to a monitoring unit. US 2013/0096704discusses articles of clothing and module capable of sensing physicaland/or physiological characteristics associated with the use of theclothing. The module contains one or more integral sensors. The systemcan activate the module or sensor in it upon engaging the module to theclothing and confirm that the clothing and the module are authorized foruse with one another and/or for automatic data processing algorithmselection. The flexibility of the system is, however, restricted toadaptation of the sensor module to use its built-in sensor(s) indifferent ways depending on the clothing it is attached to. Thus,several modules are still needed or a single module needs to be equippedwith a plurality of sensors if different types of signals are to bemeasured.

One problem also touched by the abovementioned publications in amulti-sensor system is the communication of the different EMGmeasurement signals to a monitoring device. There are systems, whichutilize wired communication channels from a plurality of sensors to asingle module. Such systems become impractical if there is a need to usemany sensors at distant body parts and potentially separate belt orgarment units.

Thus, there exists a need for generic solutions for facilitatingconfiguration and communication between sports and other carrier items,such as EMG sensor-containing garment or a tool, and a remote monitoringunit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the invention to solve at least some of theabovementioned problems and to provide an arrangement and method forconfiguring equipment for performance monitoring and/or facilitation,which allows for configuration between different kinds of carrier itemsin a modular equipment system with the aid of remote monitoring unit.

The invention is based on the general idea of arranging a dataprocessing and communication link between a carrier item and a centralmonitoring unit in a novel way. In focus of the invention, there is acommunication module, which is capable of distinguishing the place ofmounting thereof so that it may adapt its internal operationaccordingly. For example, in a sports system or arrangement comprising acommunication module and a sports item, the sports item comprises amounting zone capable of indicating its identifier to the communicationmodule once the module being mounted thereon.

In more detail, to meet the abovementioned aims, the invention providesin some embodiments an arrangement for configuring sports equipment forpersonal performance monitoring and/or facilitation. The sportsequipment comprises at least one sports item, at least one communicationmodule and a remote device. The sports item comprises a mounting zonefor receiving a communication module, one or more sensors and/oractuators, a first processing unit functionally connected to saidmounting zone and said sensors and/or actuators and configured toprocess sensor signals from said sensors and/or actuators and tocommunicate with a communication module. The communication module isadapted to be mounted on said mounting zone of the sports item andhaving a second processing unit configured to further process saidsensor/actuator signals and to communicate processed signals to a remotedevice over a wireless communication protocol. The remote device isadapted to communicate with said communication module over said wirelesscommunication protocol and to send a predefined code to saidcommunication module to configure the same to process sensor or actuatorsignals from said sports item according to a use of said sports item asidentified by said predefined code.

The communication module may be configured to write said predefined codeinto a first memory unit in order to enable said first and secondprocessing units to process sensor or actuator signals from said sportsitem according to an instruction set corresponding to said use of saidsports item. The instruction set may be fetched from said remote deviceand stored in a second memory unit in said communication module, or theinstruction set may be generated from said code by an algorithm storedin a second memory unit in said communication module. An instruction setis a “motion recipe” for how to interpret the sensor signals accordingto a sport or activity the recipe has been designed for.

The first memory unit may reside in the sports item, whereby it isfunctionally connected to said first processing unit, or it may residein the communication module and may be functionally connected to eitherthe first or said second processing unit, or both.

According to some embodiments, the invention provides an arrangement forconfiguring sports equipment for personal performance monitoring and/orfacilitation. The sports equipment comprises at least one sports item,at least one communication module and a remote device. The sports itemcomprises a mounting zone for receiving a communication module, one ormore sensors and/or actuators, a tag comprising a near-field antenna anda first memory unit, and a first processing unit functionally connectedto said mounting zone, said sensors and/or actuators and said tag. Thefirst processing unit is configured to process sensor signals from saidsensors and/or actuators and to communicate with a communication module.The tag in the sports item may comprise a radio-frequency identification(MD) unit.

The communication module is adapted to be mounted on said mounting zoneof the sports item and has a second processing unit configured tofurther process said sensor/actuator signals and to communicateprocessed signals to a remote device over a wireless communicationprotocol. The remote device is adapted to communicate with said tag inthe sports item over a near-field communication protocol in order towrite a predefined code into said first memory unit and to configuresaid sports item to process sensor or actuator signals from said sportsitem together with said communication module according to a use of saidsports item as identified by said predefined code.

The sports item may be configurable by the predefined code to enablesaid first and second processing units to process sensor or actuatorsignals from said sports item according to an instruction setcorresponding to said use of said sports item. The instruction set maybe fetched from said remote device and stored in a second memory unit insaid communication module, or it may be generated from said code by analgorithm stored in a second memory unit in said communication module.The ID code need not necessarily contain just an identifier, like anelectronic product code (EPC), but may also contain variable informationand code sequences which enables the communication module to configureitself and the sports item according to the intended use and to createan instruction set to this effect.

The remote device may have access to a plurality of instructions setscorresponding to different predefined uses of said sports item. Suchaccess may be provided by internet to a service provider hosting suchinstruction sets, for example. The remote device may be a smart phone orthe like with an application running to facilitate the access.

In some embodiments of the invention, the sports items may comprise abelt, a garment and/or a piece of sports equipment, such as a bat,racket, club, ski or bicycle, with one or more integrated sensors oractuators. The sensors or actuators may be EMG sensors, accelerationsensors, power sensors, speed sensors, a satellite positioning sensor ora trigger actuator for a trigger or drive signal.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mounting zone for thecommunication module comprise conductive fasteners such as snaps locatedon an outer surface of a housing for said communication module, in orderto secure the communication module to the mounting zone and forproviding electronic contact terminals for communication between saidsports item and said communication module.

According to some embodiments of the invention, an arrangement and amethod for configuring a tool in order to monitor personal performance,when working with such tool, is provided.

More specifically, the inventive arrangement and method is defined inthe independent claims.

The invention has considerable advantages. Importantly, the inventionallows for a single communication module to be used together with avariety of different peripheral devices, most notably sensors andactuators herein discussed. The functions of the device are determinedonly once attached to the item containing the sensor or actuator, byreading an identifier of the item and self-adapting the module accordingto the identifier.

The invention significantly improves modularity of existing sportsmonitoring or facilitation systems. By means of the invention, a singlegeneric communication module can be used with sports garment and othersports items designed for particular sports. For example, the samemodule can be used during one training session in a heart rate belt forheart rate signal processing and transmission and in another sessionsattached to muscle EMG sensor-containing clothing for muscle activitydetection and activity signal transmission, or even a foot pod orbicycle pod for speed signal processing and transmission, to mention acompletely different kind of measurement. By means of the invention, itis also convenient to build distributed performance monitoring systemswith sensors grouped in suitable single-sensor units and/or multi-sensorgroups each serving for a particular purpose and associated with asingle communications module. Although the system is distributed, theamount of physical wiring can be kept reasonable because of wirelesscommunication between the communication modules and the monitoring unit.

Long wires as used in prior art solutions are sensitive to interference,as the EMG voltages are low. With the aid of the invention, robust datatransfer between the measuring points and a monitoring unit can beestablished, Only the wires between the sensors or actuators and thedistributed mounting zones need to be integrated to the garments, forexample.

The invention can be used with any sports items within a personal-areanetwork of a person. This includes at least all items that the personwears, holds or touches during the performance.

Adaptivity of the module can be implemented in a variety of ways,including choosing suitable processing instructions from a set ofprocessing instructions pre-stored in the module, over a two-way datacommunication channel with a monitoring unit carried by user, over atwo-way data communication channel with a computer, or over a two-wayinternet data communication channel (cloud service).

Dependent claims focus on selected embodiments of the invention.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a communication modulecomprising conductive means for mounting the communication module to amounting zone on a carrier item, the conductive means forming bothphysical mounting points and electronic contact terminals for making anelectronic contact with the carrier item while being mounted thereon.

According to one embodiment, the wireless communication unit of themodule is capable of transmitting data received through the contactterminals and processed in the module to a remote monitoring device.This allows the module to be used with sensor-containing carrier items.

According to one embodiment, the wireless communication unit is capableof both sending data to and receiving data from the remote monitoringdevice. This embodiment further allows receiving processing instructionsnot initially stored in the memory of the module, extending the range ofuse of the module greatly.

According to one embodiment, the processing unit of the module isfunctionally connected to said contact terminals and to said wirelesscommunication unit and capable of processing data received through thecontact terminals and for storage and/or transmission of the processeddata through the wireless communication unit according to dataprocessing instructions contained in memory thereof. According to afurther embodiment, the processing unit is capable of processing datareceived through the wireless communication unit and transmitting thedata through the contact terminals. Thus, either one- or two-waycommunication, and optional intermediate data processing, between thewireless communication unit and the contact terminals is possible.

According to one embodiment, the communication module comprises meansfor reading an electronic identifier in the form of a data field in afirst electronic memory device contained in the sports item andaccessible by the module.

According to one embodiment, the means for reading the identifier fromthe carrier item are adapted to read the identifier from the electronicmemory device over a wired connection through the contact terminals.Thus, no separate connectors for reading the identifier are needed inthe module. Alternatively, the means for reading the identifier comprisewireless transceiver unit, such as a radio-frequency identification(RED) unit, for reading the identifier from a carrier item equipped witha corresponding transponder containing the electronic memory device.This embodiment requires more additional electronics in the module butallows for contactless reading of the identifier and spares the contactterminals of sensor/actuator communication use only.

Both the communication and data processing characteristics of theprocessing unit are capable of being changed by operatingenvironment-specific reprogramming of the processing unit, i.e., bychanging the internal data processing instructions of the processingunit based on the identifier read.

According to one embodiment, the module comprises an second memory forstoring a set of data processing instructions corresponding to differentidentifiers and the processing unit is capable of choosing the dataprocessing instructions from said set of data processing instructionsbased on the value of the identifier read. Alternatively or in addition,a desired instruction set may be generated and stored in the secondmemory by an algorithm, which is processed by the module based on anidentifier read from a carrier item.

This embodiment allows for a set of instructions for examplecorresponding to identifiers of most common carrier items, such as aheart rate belt and selected pieces of muscle activity sensor garment,or various tools.

Alternatively or in addition to containing an internally stored set ofinstructions, the processing unit may capable of sending a request fordata processing instructions corresponding to the value of theidentifier read and receiving said data processing instructions throughsaid wireless communication unit to/from an external wireless device,preferably said monitoring unit, and optionally storing the receiveddata processing instructions in the set of data processing instructionsin the second memory for also further use. This embodiment extends theuse of the module to all kinds of applications not even known at themoment of release of the module.

To implement a typical use involving sensor co-operation with themodule, the processing unit is capable of receiving a sensor signal fromthe carrier item through the contact terminals and processing the sensorsignal according to the data processing instructions chosen to provideprocessed sensor data. Further, the processing unit is adapted totransmit the processed sensor data to the monitoring device through thewireless communication unit. The following sensor signals may besupported, for example: EMG signal from an EMG sensor, accelerationsignal from an acceleration sensor, power signal from a power sensor,speed signal from a speed sensor, position signal from a satellitepositioning sensor, pressure signal form a pressure sensor. Further usesare discussed elsewhere in the document. It should be noted that in thesoftware level, the changeable processing instructions of the processingunit determine the operation of the processing unit, but the module mustbe designed in the hardware and firmware levels to enable suchfunctionalities.

According to another main use of the module, the processing unit iscapable of receiving actuation data from the monitoring device throughthe wireless communication unit, processing the actuation data accordingto the data processing instructions chosen to provide an actuationsignal, and transmitting the actuation signal to the sports item throughthe contact terminals according to the data processing instructions Thiskind of actuator co-operation (or “facilitation” use) is roughly inverseto the sensor co-operation. The actuation signal may be a power signal,trigger signal or display drive signal, for example, or any combinationthereof Again the module must be designed in the hardware and firmwarelevels to enable such functionalities upon suitable reprogramming in thesoftware level. I.e., there must be some power output capacity in themodule for allowing carrier items without internal power supplies to beused.

According to one embodiment, the module comprises a sensor of some kind,such as an acceleration sensor, functionally connected to the processingunit and a memory with data processing instructions for processingsensor data received from the sensor. This embodiment allows the moduleto be used also in a stand-alone mode to detect for example accelerationchanges. Thus, the module can be used for example as a step detector(foot pod) with ordinary shoes or with shoes only containing a physicalmounting zone for the module.

Apart from the mounting means and contact terminals of the module, allother key parts thereof are preferably contained in a housing. Inparticular, the housing encapsulates the wireless communication unit andthe processing unit. The mounting means and the contact terminals arelocated on outer surface of the housing such that they are easilyaccessible.

The mounting means and the contact terminals are preferably integrallyformed of at least two conductive snap fasteners, such as male or femalesnap fasteners, being capable of engaging with corresponding conductivecounterparts on the carrier item so as to attach the module to thecarrier item and to form said electric contact between the module andthe carrier item.

According to one embodiment, the present carrier item may comprise amounting zone for the communication module, the mounting zone comprisingtwo or more second electronic contact terminals for making an electroniccontact with the first electronic contact terminals of the communicationmodule according to the invention when mounted to the mounting zone. Themounting zone may comprise e.g. female or male snap fasteners designedto engage corresponding parts of the module described above. Embedded inthe carrier item, there may be a first memory unit for storing anidentifier of the carrier item, the memory unit being connected to meansfor communicating the identifier to the communication module whenmounted to the mounting zone. Such means may comprise conductors forcontact reading of the memory vie the second contact terminals or aradio-frequency transponder unit for wireless reading. In addition,there are one or more sensors or actuators functionally connected to thesecond electronic contact terminals so as to be ZS able to transferelectric signals between the one or more sensors or actuators and thecommunication module via the second contact terminals,

The mounting means of the communication module and the mounting zone ofthe carrier item are preferably designed to allow for repetitivemounting and removing of the communication module(s) thereto/therefrom.Thus, the module can be removed if a person wants to use the module inanother sports item, with another tool, or for example during washing ofthe sports item or charging or changing of a battery of the module.

Indeed, according to one embodiment, the communication module comprisesan electric power source, such as a battery, or a zone for placing apower source adapted to power internal functions of the communicationmodule and to provide power to said electronic contact terminals, Theinternal functions include in particular operation of the communicationunit (radio unit), processing unit and means for reading the identifier.

In one particular embodiment, the number of second electronic con actterminals in the carrier item is two and the terminals are connectedboth to said first memory unit and to the one or more sensors oractuators. The communication link through corresponding first terminalsof the communication module and the second terminals of the sports itemis arranged such that signal from/to the memory unit and from thesensor(s)to the actuator(s) are distinguishable, e.g. by their frequencycharacteristics, so that both the memory unit and thesensor(s)/actuator(s) are useable.

The carrier item may be sports item like a belt, garment or piece ofsports equipment, such as a bat, racket, club, ski or bicycle, with oneor more integrated sensors or actuators. The carrier item may also be atool to be used manually, like welding equipment, an axe or a rifle.Further examples are discussed elsewhere in this document.

The communication module and the carrier item according to the inventionis preferably used in a system additionally comprising a monitoring unitcapable of wirelessly communicating with the communication module so asto receive sensor data from said one or more sensors or transmitactuation signal to said one or more actuators via said communicationmodule. In such system, the communication module is capable of sending arequest for data processing instructions corresponding to the value ofthe identifier read from the sports item to the monitoring unit andreceiving said data processing instructions from the monitoring unit,and the monitoring unit is capable of receiving and processing saidrequest and transmitting said data processing instructions wirelessly tothe communication module. Processing of the request may compriseretrieving the data processing instructions from a memory of themonitoring unit and/or further requesting the data processinginstructions from an external computer or a cloud service.

According to one embodiment, the carrier item contains, in addition tothe sensor or actuator, also analogue and/or digital processing unit,which is capable of processing the sensor data before sending to thecontact terminals and further to the communication module, or processingsignals intended for the actuator. The processing unit typicallycomprises a microcontroller embedded in the sports item. This embodimentallows for even more generic communication modules to be used, as partof signal processing or intelligent logic operations can be implementedin the carrier item level, as an integral part and function of thecarrier item. Preferably, the processing unit is powered by thecommunication module but may naturally contain also a separate powersource. In particular, there may be sensor signal AD conversion andprocessing logic in a sensor-containing sports item. The processing maybe located either in the vicinity of the sensor or in the vicinity ofthe mounting zone for the communication module. In this embodiment, theidentifier may be provided for the communication module a memory of theprocessing unit, whereby any separate memory unit for storing theidentifier is not needed. The signal for the contact terminals of thecarrier item may contain both the identifier and any additional datafrom the sensor processed in the integral processing unit. It is alsopossible to provide a two-way wired communication between thecommunication module and the integral processing unit of the sports itemso that preprocessing instructions, for example, are given for theintegral processing unit from the communication module.

According to one embodiment, all communication modules in the system,irrespective of their place of mounting, are similar in their hardwaredesign and the operational differences are achieved solely byreprogramming according to the invention based on the identifiers readform the mounting zones.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there are providedsports pants comprising a plurality of integrated EMG sensors adapted tosense EMG signals from at least two leg muscles, such as frontal and/orback thigh muscles, preferably from both legs. There is also providedone or more mounting zones for communication modules as described above,the mounting zones comprising module-readable identifiers. The EMGsensors are connected to contact terminals contained in the mountingzones by wires integrated to the garment structure. The number ofmounting zones is typically one (all sensors connected thereto and theirsignals processed in a module attached thereto) or two (sensors arrangedin two groups and their signals processed separately), but may be alsolarger (more sensor groups).

Definitions

The term “sports item” covers various pieces of garment and other itemsused when performing sports. In particular, the term covers personalclothing and other wearable items, such as heart rate belts, andpersonal sports equipment in direct possession of the person performingthe sport. The term also covers other sports items that are at leasttemporarily in the vicinity of the person during the performance, i.e.,can join the personal-area network of a central unit (monitoring unit)of the person. An example of such item is a golf bag. Further examplesare given in the detailed description. “Sports” should be taken broadlyto cover all kinds of physical activities. The more generic term“carrier item” can be a sports item as described above, or a similararrangement for other than sports equipment, such as tools.

“Mounting zone” is zone on a carrier item dedicated or at least suitablefor a communication module according to the invention. A mounting zonecomprises both physical and electronic connection means for thecommunication module to bath remain attached to the carrier item and tobe able to electrically communicate with one or more sensors and/oractuators therein.

“ID” or “identifier” in a carrier item is a piece of machine-readabledata which indicates the type of the carrier item in particular inrespect of number and type(s) of sensor(s) and/or actuator(s) thereinfor allowing a communication module attached to the mounting zone toutilize them, The identifier can be coded in any suitablemachine-readable format encoding a specific value. Therefore, referencesto the “identifier” can be considered as references to the “value ofidentifier”, where applicable. The identifier can for example be asequence of characters bit-encoded and stored in a semiconductor memoryunit.

“Processing instructions” means a computer-readable instruction set(typically arranged in a single data file) with data content, which canbe interpreted by the communication module to change its operation tocorrespond with the requirements of a sports item with a specific ID.The instructions may have effect for example on

-   -   sensor signal (input signal) processing characteristics        amplification characteristics) of the module,    -   actuator control signal (output signal) processing        characteristics,    -   internal sensor or actuator data processing algorithms,    -   data interface specifications with a sensor and/or actuator,        and/or    -   wireless data communication characteristics with a monitor unit.

The processing instructions may comprise a set of configuration values(passive instructions , computer-executable code (active instructions),or both, in a suitable data structure, most commonly in one or more datafile. Thus, the processing instructions are sports item—specificsoftware configuration files or applications, which can be utilized orrun by the operating system (firmware) of the module.

“Monitoring” means receiving information on the performance using one ormore sensors in one or more carrier items through one or morecommunication modules. Monitoring is preferably carried out using awearable monitoring unit, such as a wristop computer, but may be donealso using any other computing device capable of communicating with theone or more communication modules. One option is to use a mobile phoneas the monitoring unit.

“Facilitation” means actively providing input to a carrier item througha communication module. Facilitation can be carried out using one ormore actuators in one or more carrier items. Activation or controlsignals for the actuator(s) are provided from or via the communicationmodule(s) and they may originate from the monitoring unit discussedabove.

Next, embodiments of the invention and advantages thereof are describedin more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a monitoring system according to one embodiment ofthe invention with communication modules attached to sports garmentswith integrated EMG sensors.

FIG. 2 shows another exemplary monitoring system with communicationmodules attached to garment with an integrated EMG sensor, tennis racketand shoe.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a communication module andmounting zone on a sports item.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication moduleaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a monitoring unitaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system extended from the monitoring unit toexternal devices or cloud services.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of one exemplary configuration methodaccording to the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of another exemplary configuration methodaccording to the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a monitoring system according to one embodiment ofthe invention with communication modules attached to a tool withacceleration sensors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows one example of a sports equipment that can take advantageof the invention. The equipment comprises a first sports garment (shirt)100A and a second sports garment (shorts) 100B, both containingintegrated EMG sensors. The shirt 100A comprises first EMG sensor pads101A, 101B positioned to measure heart EMG signal. In the shorts 100B,there are second EMG sensor pads 102A-D are positioned in two groups(102A and 102B/102C and 102D) against both thighs to measure thighmuscle EMG activity. The heart EMG pads 101A, 101B are connected to afirst mounting zone 103A in the shirt 100A using first wirings 105A.Similarly, the thigh muscle activity EMG pads 102A-D of the shorts 100Bare connected to a second mounting zone 103B in the shorts using secondwirings 105B.

To the first and second mounting zones 103A, 103B, there are attached afirst and a second communication module 110A, 11013, such that they areelectrically connected to the first and second wirings 105A, 105B andfurther to the first and second EMG sensor pads 101A-B, 102A-D,respectively. Both the mounting zones 103A, 103B are identified byidentifiers, which may be read by the communication modules 110A, 110Bto be able to configure the communication modules for these particularmeasurement environments. Thus, the modules 110A, 11B can be identicalin hardware and firmware but can change their internal operatinginstructions to co-operate with the environment they are connected to.

A remote unit (wristop computer) 120 is provided, to which thecommunication modules 110A, 110B wirelessly transmit the measurementinformation received from the sensors after processing in the processingunits of the communication modules 110A, 100B. The remote unit 120 mayserve to provide operating instruction sets for the modules 110A, 110Bbased on the identifiers read by the modules 110A, 110B uponconfiguration of the modules. Transmitting the instructions may be donethrough wireless communication. Alternatively, the instruction setscorresponding to the identifiers may be generated in the modules 110A,110B, whereby no communication with the remote unit 120 at theconfiguration phase is needed.

To give an example of the configuration of the modules, the identifierof the shirt 100A can “tell” the module 110A that there is one sensor(two pads) of EMG type connected and that the signal amplification levelrequired is X. The identifier of the shorts 100B can “tell” the module110B that there are two sensors (four pads) both of EMG type connectedand that signal amplification level required for both of these is Y. Asindicated above, the “telling” may take place through internal-onlyconfiguration, where an algorithm for generating the instruction sets ispre-stored in the module, or through communication with the remote, andoptionally further with a computer or a cloud service.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary system with a sports garment 200 correspondingto the garment 100A of FIG. 1, The EMG pads are denoted with referencenumerals 201A, 201B, the first mounting zone with 203A, wirings with 205and the first communication module attached thereto with 210A, Themounting zone 203A comprises a respective identifier readable by themodule 210A.

In addition, there is provided a tennis racket 230 with a secondmounting zone 203B and a second communication module 210B and a sportsshoe 240 with a third mounting zone 203C and a third communicationmodule 210C. The mounting zones 203B, 203C of the racket 230 and shoe240 may be connected to acceleration sensors, orientation sensors orposition sensors, to mention some examples, The sensors deliver theircorresponding acceleration, orientation and/or position information tothe communication units 210A, 210B and 210C, and from these further tothe monitoring unit 220. The mounting zones 203A, 20313 and 203C maycontain respective identifiers readable by the modules 21013, 210C toindicate what kind of operation of the communication modules 210A, 210Band 210C are required.

It is also possible that the racket 230 and/or shoe 240 are not providedwith any sensors connected to the mounting zones 203B, 203C. In thatcase, their identifiers may “tell” the modules 210B, 210C that aninternal sensor, such as an acceleration sensor, of the modules 210B,210C are to be used. In this case, the identifiers can also be “void”.In other words, if a module is not able to find any identifier withspecific data content (identifier code), it assumes by default tooperate in a particular way, typically using its internal sensor andcorresponding pre-stored processing instructions for usage of theinternal sensor.

The sports items 100A, 100B, 200, 230 and 240 may be passive, i.e.,without a power source. In such cases the power for bothidentifier-reading and sensor operations is obtained from power sourcescontained in the communication modules 110A, 110B, 210A, 210B and 210C.

The present modules can be used in connection with any sports itemswithin the personal-area network of a person. Examples are pieces ofgarment carried out by the person, such as shirts, trousers, socks,hats, caps, footwear, handwear and belts and various pieces of sportsequipment necessary for any particular sports, including rackets, bats,clubs, sticks, skis, bicycles, balls, vehicles, and bags.

Examples of sensors contained in the sports items include the EMG,acceleration, orientation, position sensors already mentioned above, andadditionally temperature and pressure sensors, such as air pressuresensors or tactile sensors, and photosensors. Specific sensor types forthe abovementioned purposes include conductive electronic potentialsensors, micromechanical acceleration sensors, micromechanicalgyroscopic sensors, micromechanical magnetic sensors, micromechanicalpressure sensors, satellite positioning system sensors (e.g. GPS orGLONASS) and resistive and capacitive touch sensors (with optional touchposition and/or touch force detection capability) and digital imagingsensors (e.g. multipixel CCD or CMOS sensors).

Specific sports item examples include heartbeat ECG belts, muscular EMGbelts or garments and tennis rackets, golf clubs, skiing equipment withacceleration sensors or orientation sensors and photographic devicesused during the performance.

It should be also noted that the options discussed are not exclusive.Thus, the device carried by the sports item may be a combined sensor andactuator. The sensing and actuation functions typically relate to eachother, but they need not do so. Sensor data analysis and actuatorcontrol can be carried out in suitable electronics of the sports itemitself but is even more preferably carried out in the presentprogrammable communication module, which takes input from the sensor,processes the input and controls the actuator. In the first case, onlypower is minimally required from the communication module to thesensor/actuator. In the latter case, also data signals needs to betransferred between the module and the sensor/actuator, which is ofcourse possible in the first case too. If no immediate response isrequired, part of data processing and/or actuation control may becarried out in the monitoring unit over a wireless channel.

An example of a combined device is an EMG sensor with built-in visual oraudible output of EMG signal, EMG signal frequency or indication oftarget EMG activity rate (e.g.: in coaching mode: advice to increase ordecrease heartbeat . Another example is a GPS sensor with built-in speedand/or direction indicator. A still another example is a racket, bat orclub which comprises an acceleration sensor and/or gyroscope and is ableto provide instant feedback for the user on the characteristics of a hitor swing.

FIG. 3 illustrates two key components of the system, the communicationmodule 310 and sports item 360 in more detail. The communication module310 comprises a housing 317 and two electric contact terminals 311A,311B on outer surface of the housing. In this example, the contactterminals 311A, 311B are in the form of bumps or buttons capable ofbeing snapped into suitable recess or female counterparts 307A, 307B ofa mounting zone of a sports item 360 to provide both attachment andelectric connection. There may also be provided separate or additionalmeans to take care of these functions.

In the mounting zone 303, there is provided a first processing unit 309electrically connected to the recess counterparts 307A, 307B. Thus, whenthe module 310 is connected to the mounting zone 303, it is able tocommunicate with first processing unit 309 and to read sensor signalsprocessed by unit 309. In this example, the recess counterparts 307A,307B are additionally connected to EMG sensor pads 301A, 301B usingsuitable wirings 305A, 305B in the sports item 360 to provide an EMGsignal to the module 310.

The first processing unit 309 may in some embodiments comprise a firstmemory unit 312 and interface circuitry 313. Obviously the memory unit312 and or the interface circuitry 313 may be integral with the firstprocessing unit 309, or separate components used by the processing unit.According to the invention, the first processing unit 309 isfunctionally connected to the mounting zone 303 and to sensors and/oractuators 301A, 301B, and is configured to process sensor signals fromthe sensors and/or actuators and to communicate with the communicationmodule 310.

Further according to the invention, a remote device (not shown, see FIG.5) is adapted to communicate with the communication module 310 over awireless communication protocol in order to configure the communicationmodule to process sensor or actuator signals from said sports itemaccording to a use of the sports item. The use, e.g. a desired sportdiscipline, is selectable from a list containing a number of predefineduses in the remote device. A predefined code corresponding to theselected use may then be written into the first memory unit in order toconfigure and enable the mounting zone and the communication module toprocess sensor or actuator signals from the sports item according to aspecific instruction set corresponding to the selected use of the sportsitem.

The predefined code my according to the invention be written into thefirst memory unit 312 of the mounting zone 303 in at least two differentways. in some embodiments, the communication module 310 is configuredreceive the predefined code from the remote unit over the wirelesscommunication protocol and to write the received predefined code intothe first memory unit 312 in order to configure and enable the firstprocessing unit and a second processing unit in the communication module310 to process sensor or actuator signals from the sports item accordingto an instruction set corresponding, to the selected use of the sportsitem.

It is to be noted that the location of the first memory unit is notrestricted. According to some embodiments, the first memory unit 312resides in the mounting zone 303 of the sports item 360 and isfunctionally connected to the first processing unit 309. However, thefirst memory unit may also reside in the communication module 310 beingfunctionally connected both to the first and to the second processingunit (item 412 of FIG. 4). in fact, the first and second memory unitsmay reside physically on the same circuit in the communication module.

According to other embodiments, the a remote device of FIG. 5 is adaptedto communicate directly with the interface circuitry 313 in the sportsitem over a near-field communication protocol in order to write thepredefined code into the first memory unit 312. This will configure thesports item to process sensor or actuator signals together with thecommunication module according to a use of said sports item that isselected on the remote device and identified by the predefined code. inthese embodiments, the interface circuitry 313 may comprise aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, such as a near-fieldcommunication (NFC) tag embedded in the mounting zone 303.

The communication module 310 may also contain a corresponding RFID/NFCread/write unit for reading RFID tags and to transfer informationbetween the mounting zone 303 and the communication module over anear-field communication protocol via the tag 313. such a case, thecontact terminals of the module may serve for sensor signal readingonly.

FIG. 4 shows in more detail the main internal components of acommunication module 410 according to one embodiment of the invention.The module 410 includes a second processing unit 412 configured tofurther process said sensor/actuator signals and to communicateprocessed signals to a remote device over a wireless communicationprotocol via a wireless communication unit 414. The contact terminals411A, 411B connects the module 410 to a sports item 360 as is shown inFIG. 3. There may be provided a separate input and/or output unit (notshown) between the second processing unit 412 and the contact terminals411A, 411B, the comprising conventional circuitry for amplification ofinput signals, if needed.

The processing unit 412 typically comprises a microcontroller operatedby firmware, and a second memory unit 416 for storage of larger amountsof data, such as instruction sets. Tasks of the second processing unit412 include performing internal data processing actions of thecommunication module 410, controlling communication to/from themonitoring unit and the sports item the module is attached to, and toperform configuration and execution of processing instruction setsselected on the basis of the predefined code delivered by the remoteunit and read from the remote unit or the first memory unit 312 insports item.

According to an important aspect of the invention, it is thus possiblefor the user to have several “generic” sports items, which areattachable on a variety of sport goods, such a s rackets, headbands,heart beat sensor belts, shoes etc. The predefined code that isretrieved for each use will configure the sports item and communicationsmodule to work according to an instruction set designed for that use.There is thus no need to manufacture and purchase separate sports itemsand modules for each use or sports discipline.

The contact terminals of the mounting zone described above may consistsof female snaps 307A, 307B located on an mounting zone 303 that in turnis fastened on any suitable underlay or platform, such as a rubber band,suction cup, screws etc., in order to provide flexible attachment forthe communications module suitable for any activity.

The communication unit 414 comprises an antenna and necessaryelectronics for amplification of the received and transmitted wirelesssignals and for coupling with the processing unit 412. The communicationunit 414 can utilize any desired wireless communication protocol, andalso include an integrated or separate RFID/NFC read/write unit forreading RFD tags. The wireless communication protocol is preferably atime slot-based protocol. Examples of suitable protocols include likeBluetooth LE and ANT+, using direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)modulation techniques and an adaptive isochronous network configuration,respectively. A thorough description of the necessary hardware forvarious implementations is available e.g. from the Texas Instrument®'shandbook “Wireless Connectivity” which includes IC circuits and relatedhardware configurations for protocols working in sub-1- and 2.4-GHzfrequency bands, such as ANT™, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth low energy,RFID/NFC, PurePath™ Wireless audio, ZigBee®, IEEE 802.15.4, ZigBeeRE4CE, 6LoWPAN, Wi-Fi®, GPS.

For example, in the case of Bluetooth LE, an Attribute Profile (ATT)wire application protocol is used. An attribute is composed of threeelements:

-   -   a 16-bit handle;    -   an UUID which defines the attribute type;    -   a value of a certain length.

A handle is a number that uniquely identifies an attribute and isexpected to be stable for each device. A UUID (universally uniqueidentifier) is an identifier standard used in software construction toenable distributed systems to uniquely identify information withoutsignificant central coordination. The value is an array of bytes of anysize. The meaning of the value depends on the UUID.

Also TDMA-based protocols may be used, as discussed in “TDMA ProtocolRequirements for Wireless Sensor Networks”, Sensor Technologies andApplications, SENSORCOMM '08. Second International Conference on 25-31Aug. 2008, Pages 30-35, ISBN :978-0-7695-3330-8.

The module 414 is powered by a power source, typically a re-chargeablebattery (not shown).

According to some embodiments, a complete instruction set thatcorrespond to a certain code and an associated use of the device, isfetched from the remote device and stored in the second memory unit inthe communication module. Alternatively, the instruction set may begenerated from the code by an algorithm stored in the second memory unitin the communication module.

FIG. 5 depicts a remote device 520 in the form of a wrist-worn computer.Also the monitoring unit comprises a third processing unit 522 and acommunication unit 524 for communication with one or more communicationmodules of the kind described above. There is also provided a memoryunit 526 for storage of received/to-be-transmitted data.

The communication unit utilizes the same wireless communication protocolas the communication modules(s) it is intended to communicate with, asdescribed above.

The remote device may equally well be a mobile handheld device, such asa smartphone. Such digital devices are usually equipped with allnecessary hardware by default, What is then needed are applicationsrunning in the device, with which the configuration of various sportsitems and communication modules can be carried out.

A further task for a remote device capable of wireless communication maybe to connect to external sources, e.g. over internet, to accessidentification codes and their associated instruction sets, updates etc.for downloading from a service provider.

In the other direction, training results and other personal data may beuploaded to such sites of service providers, for editing, displayingand/or sharing results and data in social media over e.g. internet.

A sports item to be configured may be an attachment and mounting zonefor an oar, a racket or a band or the like for the wrist, head orshoulder etc. When the user of the remote device has selected theintended use of the sports item, the configuration starts bytransferring the code for the selected use from the remote device toeither the communications module by wireless transfer or to the sportsitem using an NFC communication protocol. The ID code is written intothe first memory unit, and the second processing unit in thecommunication module activates, fetches or generates an instruction forthe intended purpose. The instruction set may be partially or whollytailored for a specific sport discipline, for the place on the body thesports item is fastened, and/or environmental parameters, such asrunning conditions (track/cross-country), indoor/outdoor activity etc.

One task of the processing unit 522 of the remote device 520 is tocollect messages sent by communication units in the same personal-areanetwork and to display and/or store relevant information form themessages to the user via a display or to the memory unit for furtheruse. The processing unit picks form the messages data measured by theremote sensors and information on the time of the measurements andorders the measurement data in a chronological order in one or more datastructures.

According to some embodiments of the invention, in an arrangement forconfiguring a sports equipment for personal performance monitoringand/or facilitation, the remote device adapted to communicate with thecommunication module over a wireless communication protocol and to senda predefined code to the communication module, in order to configure thesame to process sensor or actuator signals from said sports itemaccording to a use of the sports item as identified by the predefinedcode.

According to some other embodiments of the invention, in an arrangementfor configuring a sports equipment for personal performance monitoringand/or facilitation, the remote device is adapted to communicate with atag in the sports item over a near-field communication protocol, inorder to write a predefined code into the first memory unit and toconfigure the sports item to process sensor or actuator signals fromsaid sports item together with the communication module according to ause of the sports item as identified by the predefined code. At least inthese embodiments, the remote device 520 is equipped with an integrated(in unit 524) or separate RFID/NFC read/write unit at least for thepurpose of writing to an RFD tag embedded in the mounting zone 303, overa near-field radio communication protocol.

The monitoring unit 520 is powered by a power source 528, typically are-chargeable battery.

FIG. 6 shows an overview of a system which Ids from a monitoring unit620 to cloud services 680B over the internet and/or to an externalcomputer 680A. The purpose of the system is to provide instruction setsto the communication modules of the sports items 600A, 600B connected tothe system, as the communication modules themselves, but not necessarilyeither the remote unit does not contain instruction sets correspondingto the ID of the sports items. In such a case, the monitoring unit 620may make a request for instruction sets to a computer 860A and/or acloud service 680B. Connection from the remote unit to the internetcloud service 680B may be wireless, using e.g. the WLAN or mobileinternet protocols. Connection to the computer 680A may be wireless or acable connection.

The instruction sets are provided to the communication module asstand-alone applications, which can be run by the operating system(firmware) the module. This allows for very generic modules stillsuitable for a variety of uses to be manufactured. Alternatively, thecommunication module may be able to generate instructions sets by meansof a pre-stored algorithm for specific sports items based on theidentification code of the sports item.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the present method according to oneembodiment. First, in step 700, the sports item identifier is writtenfrom a remote device into the communication module memory (second memoryunit). In step 710 the communication module is mounted to a mountingzone of a sports item designed to receive and hold the communicationmodule thereon. The module makes electrical contact with the mountingzone via its contact terminals. It is to be noted that the mutual orderof steps 700 and 710 is not critical. Next, in step 720, the identifierof the sports item is read by the communication module via theelectrical contact and the configuration process is executed. Finally,in step 730, the instruction set is taken into use and the module adaptsitself according to the instructions.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of the present method according to anotherembodiment. First, in step 800, the sports item ID is written from aremote device into the first memory unit of the sports item. In step 810the communication module is mounted to a mounting zone of a sports itemdesigned to receive and hold the communication module thereon. Themodule makes electrical contact with the mounting zone via its contactterminals. It is to be noted that the mutual order of steps 800 and 810is not critical. Next, in step 820, the identifier of the sorts item isread by the communication module via the electrical contact and in step830 the configuration process is executed. Finally, in step 840, theinstruction set is taken into use and the module adapts itself accordingto the instructions.

FIG. 9 shows one example of a tool that can take advantage of theinvention. A person is holding a tool in his hand 90. The tool is hereshown as a generic one having a shaft 91 with a cut-off end 94. in theextension of the end 94 the head of an axe may be attached or the shaftmay be the handheld portion of a welding pistol. On the shaft, a carrieritem 92 is firmly attached, with glue, screws or otherwise. The carrieritem comprises a mounting zone (not shown) for a communication module93. When the person is working with the tool, actuators and/oracceleration sensors integrated in the carrier item 92 and/or thecommunication module 93 may register the status and/or the movements ofthe tool, and the communication module may then send raw sensor data,pre-processed sensor data, or analyzed tool performance data over awireless link 96 to a remote device 95 for display and/or furtherprocessing. In this embodiment of the invention, the configuration ofthe carrier item 92 and the communication module 93 is made in the sameway as described above. The predefined code identifying the tool iswritten by the remote device 95 to either a first memory of the carrieritem 92 or sent to the communication module 93.

In the examples above, only sports items containing sensors functionallyconnectable with the communication module are discussed for simplicity.However, instead of or in addition to sensors, the carrier or sportsitems may contain actuators of any kind. An actuator differs from asensor in that it produces a noticeable output for the user, whereas asensor provides measurement information for the communication module toprocess and forward. The output may be visual, audible or mechanical(involving motion), for example.

Examples of actuators include an integrated display or audio outputdevice in a garment. Another example is a tactile output device.

It should he noted that both sensors and actuators typically take theoperating power from the communication module mounted to the sports itemthrough suitable connectors and wirings.

1. An arrangement for configuring equipment for personal performancemonitoring, said equipment comprising: at least one carrier itemcomprising: a mounting zone for receiving a communication module, one ormore sensors and/or actuators, a first processing unit functionallyconnected to said mounting zone and said sensors and/or actuators andconfigured to process sensor signals from said sensors and/or actuatorsand to communicate with a communication module, at least onecommunication module adapted to be mounted on said mounting zone of thecarrier item and having a second processing unit configured to furtherprocess said sensor/actuator signals and to communicate processedsignals to a remote device over a wireless communication protocol, aremote device adapted to communicate with said communication module oversaid wireless communication protocol and to send a predefined code tosaid communication module to configure the same to process sensor oractuator signals from said carrier item according to a use of saidcarrier item as identified by said predefined code.
 2. An arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured towrite said predefined code into a first memory unit in order to enablesaid first and second processing units to process sensor or actuatorsignals from said carder item according to an instruction setcorresponding to said use of said carrier item.
 3. An arrangementaccording to claim 2, wherein said instruction set is fetched from saidremote device and stored in a second memory unit in said communicationmodule.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said instructionset is generated from said code by an algorithm stored in a secondmemory unit in said communication module.
 5. An arrangement according toclaim 2, wherein said first memory unit is in said carrier item and isfunctionally connected to said first processing unit.
 6. An arrangementaccording to claim 2, wherein said first memory unit is in saidcommunication module and is functionally connected to said first orsecond processing unit.
 7. An arrangement for configuring equipment forpersonal performance monitoring, said equipment comprising: at least onecarrier item comprising: a mounting zone for receiving a communicationmodule, one or more sensors and/or actuators, a tag comprising a n afield antenna and a first memory unit, a first processing unitfunctionally connected to said mounting zone, said sensors and/oractuators and said tag, and configured to process sensor signals fromsaid sensors and/or actuators and to communicate with a communicationmodule, at least one communication module adapted to be mounted on saidmounting zone of the carrier item and having a second processing unitconfigured to further process said sensor/actuator signals and tocommunicate processed signals to a remote device over a wirelesscommunication protocol, a remote device adapted to communicate with saidtag in the carrier item over a near-field communication protocol inorder to write a predefined code into said first memory unit toconfigure said carrier item to process sensor or actuator signals fromsaid carrier item together with said communication module according to ause of said carrier item as identified by said predefined code.
 8. Anarrangement according to claim 7, wherein the carrier item isconfigurable by said predefined code to enable said first and secondprocessing units to process sensor or actuator signals from said carrieritem according to an instruction set corresponding to said use of saidcarrier item.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein saidinstruction set is fetched from said remote device and stored in asecond memory unit in said communication module.
 10. All arrangementaccording to claim 8, wherein said instruction set generated from saidcode by an algorithm stored in a second memory unit in saidcommunication module.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 7,wherein a carrier items comprise a belt, a garment and/or a piece ofsports equipment, such as a bat, racket, club, ski or bicycle, with oneor more integrated sensors or actuators.
 12. The arrangement accordingto claim 1 or 7, wherein said mounting zone for said communicationmodule comprise conductive fasteners such as snaps located on an outersurface of a housing for said communication module, in order to securethe communication module to the mounting zone and for providingelectronic contact terminals for communication between said carrier itemand said communication module.
 13. The arrangement according to claim 1or 7, wherein the remote device have access to a plurality ofinstructions sets corresponding to different predefined uses of saidcarrier item.
 14. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said tagin said carrier item comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID)unit.
 15. The arrangement according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the sensorsor actuators are EMG sensors, acceleration sensors, power sensors, speedsensors, a satellite positioning sensor or a trigger actuator for atrigger or drive signal.
 16. A method for configuring equipment for usein personal performance monitoring, comprising the steps of: providingat least one carrier item having functionally connected thereto sensoror actuators, and comprising a first processing unit and a mounting zonefor receiving a communication module, providing at least onecommunication module having a second processing unit and a remote devicewhich are capable of wireless communication with each other over awireless communication protocol, mounting said communication module ontosaid mounting zone to enable said first and second processing units tobe functionally connected and to communicate with each other, selectingin said remote device a predefined code, communicating said predefinedcode from said remote device over said wireless communication protocolto the communication module, configuring said communication module toprocess sensor or actuator signals from said carrier item according to ause of said carrier item as identified by said predefined code.
 17. Amethod according to claim 16, wherein the communication module isconfigured by writing said predefined code into a first memory unit,which enables said first and second processing units to process sensoror actuator signals from said carrier item according to an instructionset corresponding to said use of said carrier item.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 17, wherein said instruction set is fetched from saidremote device and stored in a second memory unit in said communicationmodule.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein said instruction setis generated from said code by an algorithm stored in a second memoryunit in said communication module.
 20. A method according to claim 17,wherein said code is written into a first memory unit in said carrieritem which is functionally connected to said first processing unit. 21.A method according to claim 17, wherein said code is written into afirst memory unit in said communication module which is functionallyconnected to said second processing unit.
 22. A method for configuringequipment for use in personal performance monitoring, comprising thesteps of: providing at least one carrier item having functionallyconnected thereto sensor or actuators, a tag comprising a near-fieldantenna and a first memory unit, and a first processing unit and amounting zone for receiving a communication module, providing at leastone communication module having a second processing unit and a remotedevice which are capable of wireless communication with each other overa wireless communication protocol, selecting in said remote device apredefined code, communicating said predefined code from said remotedevice over a near-field communication protocol to said first memoryunit in said tag, configuring said communication module to processsensor or actuator signals from said carrier item according, to a use ofsaid carrier item as identified by said predefined code.
 23. A methodaccording to claim 22, wherein the carrier item is configured to enablesaid first and second processing units to process sensor or actuatorsignals from said carrier item according to an instruction setcorresponding to said use of said carrier item.
 24. A method accordingto claim 23, wherein said instruction set is fetched from said remotedevice and stored in a second memory unit in said communication module.25. A method according to claim 23, wherein said instruction set isgenerated from said code by an algorithm stored in a second memory unitin said communication module.
 26. A method according to any of claims16-25 for configuring sports equipment in order to monitor personalperformance in sports.
 27. A method according to any of claims 16-25 forconfiguring a tool in order to monitor personal performance when workingwith such tool.
 28. The use of an arrangement according to any of claims1-15 for configuring sports equipment in order to monitor personalperformance in sports.
 29. The use of an arrangement according to any ofclaims 1-15 for configuring a tool in order to monitor personalperformance when working with such tool.